I wanted to experiment. I decided to do it as fast as possible, trying to keep up the tempo regardless of how many mistakes I made. I did level one arms and legs. Twice. Then I did just arms seriously fast.

I made tons of mistakes. Then I sat for meditation, and it hit me. Shiva is about creative destruction. By doing it slowly, I was only creating new habits. But by doing it quickly, I was noticing all of my old habits, some of which were destroyed. They made room for noticing all kinds of patterns in the arms, which I then started using to do it better.

Epiphanies! It’s like in life. It’s boring if you’re not making mistakes. You should aim to make as many mistakes as possible. Very applicable all over the place.

Thanks Havi!!!!

Eric Normands last blog post..Chocolate

I’ve been doing the lessons from the video and working without out it. I had a bunch of epiphanies at first, but they are slowing down. Sounds typical of what you say happens when it’s too easy.

I still need a little clarification about what you mean by “doing it wrong”. I can do the horizontals and verticals on slow mode with Andrey, or I can do them decently quickly on my own. But when I try to do them with Andrey on the fast mode, it’s like I’m trying to swat a bunch of bees that just got really pissed off. That is to say that I’m not doing the movements correctly. It’s still really fun and challenging, but I’ve got this feeling that I’ve developed from my Kung Fu practice that tells me that I should slow down, practice without the video, and come back to the fast video mode when I can do it a little faster.

What I want to know is this: what does your experience tell you about the best way to have epiphanies? Is it the personal practice, where you are alone, counting the numbers, or the follow-along-with-Andrey method, which kind of feels like cheating since you don’t really have to know where you are.

Should I do it fast and sloppy (which you seem to be implying) or focus on getting it right, making a few mistakes here and there (which my martial arts experience is telling me).

Eric Normands last blog post..Chocolate

What about balance and vertigo? I’ve had trouble with yoga in the past, because I have weird low blood pressure and some changes of pose trigger a drop, and inversions are particularly a problem. Does Shiva Nata have a lot of inversions or altitude changes?

On a related (in my brain) note: is it time to move when when I can do the movements while watching Andrey or when I can do them on my own?

I can struggle through Level 1 horizontal arms s-l-o-w, and am learning Level 1 verticals. I spend a few days attempting to do the entire horizontal sequence without prompting, then go back to the DVD for a day.

In short, with the DVD, I’m about 80% there; without it, I’m about 50% there.

I mix in some level one verticals for about 1/3 of my practice time.

Dear, dear Havi, am I doing it wrong enough? Right enough? Just-right?

xox

Molly

As for coordination… I thought that having some experience with bellydancing and knowing how to isolate various parts of my body would help. In hindsight, my only comment is “yeah, right”, although “Pfft!” might be appropriate too.

Even in my bumbling, flailing-around stage, I do have to say that the movements are strangely beautiful though. Most importantly, they *feel* right and the insights are coming fast and furious. What more could a fledgling Shivanaut want?

Joyfully yours,
Emmanuelle

I have a very difficult time following along if someone is facing me and I need to mirror what they are doing.

If grace and coordination are not pre-reqs, this will be right up my alley :D

…and if “hot buttered epiphanies” come my way as a result of my uncoordination, well that will be positively life altering!

carmas last blog post..Husband DEFLATES further

*dances around excitedly*

Yeah, we might have to experiment with the temperature …

Oven door …

So, what … 350°?

:-)